Victor rushed to the front of the line, the group had been waiting on the side of the road for a long time, led by a young and handsome nobleman, he was in his twenties, unarmed, wearing knight's leather armor representing the status of the baron, tall figure, calm temperament, short chestnut hair, blue eyes, facial lines and Victor is a little similar, soft and delicate appearance is the characteristics of the Wimbledon family bloodline.

Because of Sophia, Victor was particularly concerned about the state of the Viscount of Sauron, and as soon as he saw the knight, the image of Burroughs immediately came to mind, even though it was the first time they had met.

Baron Burroughs Wimbledon, a 37-year-old knight who was promoted by a potion of energy, is the half-brother of Viscount Sauron Wimbledon, who once served in the Praetorian Guard of the royal capital, and now manages the territory for Sauron, and has been given a barony.

While Victor observes Burroughs, Burroughs is also looking at the young upstart of his kind.

The young lord was dressed in decent leather armor, with two long swords hanging from his waist, black hair and black eyes like the deep night sky, and his handsome appearance would make even a noble lady jealous. Elven blood nobles have always been known for their delicacy and slenderness, but his figure is tall and well-proportioned, heroic, and his eyes as sharp as a sword swept over Burroughs, and he couldn't help but salute: "Lord Viscount Randall, good day." ”

"Your Excellency, I didn't expect you to greet me personally. Victor smiled slightly, jumped off the swift bird and said.

Sauron and Victor don't actually have a personal grudge, the so-called hostility is only a difference in position. Sauron plays for Archduke Williams, and Sophia was the queen's confidant, and the fight between the two is ostensibly for the title, but in fact it is a manifestation of the conflict between the queen and the archduke. Victor, as Sophia's husband and the successor to the marquisate's title, naturally became a thorn in Solon's side and a thorn in his flesh. Now, there is a consensus within the royal family, Victor has defected to the Yorks, the royal family and the Yorks have both cooperated and wared each other on the issue of the hills, and the relationship between Sauron and Victor has turned from old enemies to cold.

The House of York ceded territory north of the Centaur Hills in exchange for royal support. The royal family divided the territory into two, with Viscount Sauron and Viscount Kerry in charge, extending the royal family's influence to the Centaur Hills, so as to achieve the purpose of containing the Ringer family. As an agent of the Viscount of Sauron, Burroughs' indifference to the core members of the House of York was in line with his position. Victor had no idea that he would personally greet the Randall family's convoy.

Burroughs was a little embarrassed, coughed dryly and said: "My lord, we are all bloodlines of the Wimbledon family, we should watch and help each other, you move the population and open up the north, I am willing to provide convenience and assistance to Raven Town." ”

"That's so much appreciated. Victor replied.

"That's as it should be. Burroughs nodded, and introduced with a smile, "Priest Gary, the resident priest of the Viscount of Sauron. ”

"Lord Randall, may our Lord guide you in the direction. The balding fat old man next to him stepped forward and greeted Victor. He was about 50 years old, his hairline had broken through the sky, his short priest's robe was draped over his stubby figure, like a bucket wrapped in linen, his garlic nose and mung bean-sized eyes were in amusement, and his kind smile gave people a sense of philistine.

Victor bowed his jaw, "Father Gary, it's a pleasure to meet you. After speaking, he untied the long sword hanging from his waist and handed it to Renault beside him. Baron Burroughs was visibly relieved to see this, and Reverend Gary was already smiling and couldn't see it.

"My lord, please come with me, I will prepare some supplies for you. ”

There were five fully loaded wagons parked on the side of the road, as well as herds of cattle and sheep, Burroughs introduced to Victor: "I know that adults raise wild boars and graze cattle and sheep in the territory of the south, but the north is a place where Ant-Man has never set foot, and there are still many beasts and monsters roaming in the wild, and there is no way to raise wild boars on a large scale, so I have prepared 50 cows and 200 sheep for adults." ”

"The wagons were loaded with food, salt, and 30 crossbows, 60 hard bows, 12,000 arrows and crossbows, and 20 sets of infantry equipment. ”

Burroughs' guards opened a long wooden box, and inside it were three neatly bundled arrows, the clusters of arrows shining with a sharp cold light, and the shafts of the arrows were straight, and the thickness was almost the same. Victor knew at a glance that these well-made arrows were the standard equipment of the Imperial Guard, and they were by no means comparable to ordinary goods.

"You don't have to open it, just load it into the carriage. Victor raised his hand to signal the guards to stop displaying the rest of the armament, turned to him and asked, "What does Your Excellency the Baron want?"

In the face of Victor's straightforward questioning, Burroughs seemed at a loss, and then felt a wave of discouragement. With Viscount Randall's current status, there is no need to entertain a vassal baron. Father Gary said, "Your Excellency Randall, your migration is really fast. More than 600 people arrived at the Viscount of Sauron in just a dozen days. Presumably it was the work of the passenger and freight carriages. I hope that Your Excellency will leave these large wagons in Raven Town so that the people there can come to my church. ”

"A public carriage?"

Victor frowned, although Raven Town is a town, in fact, there are only a few hundred residents, which is not enough to set up a church, and the believers there are naturally under the jurisdiction of Father Gary, and it is reasonable for him to put forward the request to build public transportation, but the background of Raven Town and Viscount Sauron is different after all, and public transportation will make the two sides more closely connected, which is contrary to the royal family's intention to contain the Dock family.

Could it be that Sauron wants to join the House of York?

Thinking of this, Victor asked with a smile, "Does Your Excellency the Baron also agree?"

Burroughs did not answer Victor's question directly, but said, "My lord, the situation in the north is not optimistic. My scouts report that the Duoduos are building fortifications forty kilometers north of Raventown, apparently against our Gambis. If the Duoduo head south, the Lord's Raven Town will bear the brunt. I am willing to provide shelter to your people. However, they must be able to evacuate to my castle in time. I also want to share information with Raven and build a beacon so I can respond in a timely manner. ”

A cold light flashed in Victor's eyes, and he said, "I remember that our neighbor to the north is the Great Knight of the Wind System of the Kingdom of Dodor, Viscount Negus. Did he invade my territory? I didn't get a report from my men. ”

"Viscount Negus has indeed not invaded your territory. Burroughs nodded, "However, there are many bandits who have set up a camp on the north side, and they are only 20 kilometers away from your raven town!"

"Your Excellency, you should know what that means!"

Victor pondered for a moment and asked the priest, "Father Gary, do you have any suggestions?"

"Alas......" Father Gary sighed pitifully, "Duke Erickson of Dodor privately minted gold coins and was hanged by King Dodor. Duke Erickson deserved his crimes, and his accomplices, in order to escape punishment, actually coerced the people, wandered around, and became bandits. ”

"It is the lord's duty to punish the bandits and save the people. The church will not interfere!"

Victor gave the fat priest a deep look, then turned to Burroughs and said, "I have accepted your gift. ”

Burroughs nodded in acknowledgment, and said earnestly, "My lord, I have set up a dinner party at the castle to wash the dust for you." ”

"Thank you for your kind invitation. I just want to hurry up and get to Raven Town right now. Victor declined Burroughs' kindness and turned to the carriage.

The wheels rolled, the voices of the people were boiling, the cattle and horses neighed, and the mighty convoy drove north in the smoke, and soon disappeared between the hills, Baron Burroughs and Father Gary looked at each other and smiled, and also led the soldiers away.

——————————

The surrounding woods gradually dimmed, the twilight gradually sank, the cloudless sky changed from light blue to purple, the silver moon did not rise, and the darkness began to arrive. Butz wandered at the intersection, his anxious gaze sweeping to the end of the road from time to time.

"I said old man, don't mess with your dog. Boots asked Old Hamm, the garrison of Raventown, "My lord, why haven't you arrived yet?"

"My mayor, can you sit down quietly? Brutes are the most sensitive, and you see you scare them. Old Hamm rolled his eyes in annoyance, and continued to reassure the dogs that surrounded him, the nervousness of his companions affecting the keen hounds, making them suspicious and unable to distinguish between danger and wind.

"Light the torch, light the bonfire!" Butz shouted, stomping his foot. The mayor's orders were carried out immediately, and the militia lit torches one after another, this is not the peaceful Randall Territory, monsters and beasts are most likely hiding in the bushes, watching them.

Boots breathed a sigh of relief, and was about to sit down, when he heard the barking of the dogs, followed by the sound of horses' hooves, and a long line of torches snaking through the night like a flaming python tearing through the night. Butz was about to shout in surprise, but Old Hamm covered his mouth and shouted, "Fire extinguisher!"

"Haha, old Hamm, I've been smelling shit on you from afar!

With a rough laugh, a group of cavalry galloped in. Old Hamm let go of Boots and laughed loudly and scolded, "Gru, you one-eyed bastard, believe it or not I'll feed you to the dogs!"

The militia of Raven Town loosened their bowstrings, their swords sheathed, and as soon as the two sides came into contact, there was a lot of laughter.

"It's been a long time, old boy, you're not dead!" Gru jumped off his horse and jumped up in front of Old Hamm, patting him affectionately on the shoulder.

"Bah, I won't die if you die!" Old Hamm looked up proudly and said, "You rude fellow, you should call me Lord Garrison!"

"I'm the captain of the lord's guard, one level older than you, the garrison officer. Gru cried.

"Uh......" Old Hamm was speechless for a moment, and looked left and right, "Huh...... Where did Butz go?" the two turned their heads to see that Butz was trotting toward the noble carriage. Old Hamm hurriedly beckoned his men to catch up and greet the lord.

Victor and Lilia stepped out of the carriage, and Boots and Old Hamm bowed and saluted, "Meet your lordship, meet your lady." ”

"Good work. How are you doing here?" Victor smiled and nodded.

"It's not hard, it's not hard. Boots repeatedly, "We're fine here." As she spoke, a small head poked out from behind Lilia, and it was Bertina. Old Hamm was pleasantly surprised, and said to Lilia, "Ya...... Oh, ma'am. Boots kicked him in the leg, and he quickly changed his tune.

Even though Lilia was raised by Old Hamm, she is not the same as before. As the beneficiaries of the order, the War Bear mercenaries also began to pay attention to the superiority and inferiority, and spontaneously maintained the authority and rule of the lord, so as to ensure their own status. Raven Town is alone, and Victor has no control over the territory, but Old Hamm and Butz dare not overstep it.

Etiquette is the rule, that is, the order.

Lilia covered her mouth and smiled: "Uncle Hamm, this is Bertina, my lord's little servant, she is not my daughter, she can only be regarded as my sister." ”

Old Hamm smiled dumbly, shook his head and said, "It's me who is confused, it's only been a few years, how can adults and you have such a big child." ”

"Let's talk back to Raven Town. Victor commanded, and Bell leaned over, pulled him by the corner of his coat, and pleaded: "Master, Bell wants to play with these skinny dogs...... Old Hamm's domesticated dogs were shaking their heads and tails at Beltina, and they seemed so affectionate that they almost pounced.

"No, I can't. Victor picked up little Bell and threw her into the carriage.

The convoy traveled another four quarters of an hour in the moonlight before finally arriving at Raventown. Directly in front of the town stood a stone castle, a fence enclosing a two-square-kilometer enclosed area along both sides of the castle, and the convoys drove in from the drawbridge, and the migrating people were happy, but Victor had a gloomy face.

The process of recruiting displaced people to move to Raven Town went very smoothly because Raven Town has a castle. The castle is 35 meters high and built of solid limestone, with watchtowers, suspension bridges, and moats. However, the rocks of the walls were obviously not carefully polished, and the entire wall was uneven, so that even elite soldiers could climb the castle with their bare hands, and it was even more difficult for the apprentice knights to fail. Such a castle can withstand the attack of the orcs, but it will definitely not stop the raid of the great knights.

"This is the castle that the Duoduo built me!"

Victor sneered and commanded, "Butz, old Hamm, you settle the people first, and then come to me." I have something to ask you. ”

————————

The hall of the castle was lit with candles, and Butz and Old Hamm did not dare to come out when they stood at the foot of the steps, and it was late at night when they had settled the people, and when they met the lord, they found that the atmosphere in the hall was solemn and depressing. Victor sat on the throne with his eyes closed and pondered, his grim face flickering in the flickering candlelight, and after a long time, he opened his eyes and asked, "I heard that there is a free camp nearby?"

"Yes, sir. Old Hamm stepped forward and said respectfully, "Not long ago, the outcasts of Dordor built a camp under the stream, with about 1,000 men in it. As far as we know, the backbone of this camp was once Duke Erickson's soldiers, who fled here to escape the pursuit of the Kingdom of Dodor. ”

"That is, the free and private land is in my domain?"

"That's right. Butz nodded, "According to the agreement between the House of York and the Duoduo, the lands on both sides of that stream are now yours. ”

"Didn't you think about recruiting these people?"

Butz hesitated for a moment and said, "We have solicited, the leaders of the free private lands are willing to join us, but there are too many of them, we think about it and refuse." ”

Victor glanced at Butz appreciatively and said, "A wise decision!"

Sixty kilometres north of Raventown, Sylvia had long coveted a quarry, and the Yorks had tried to occupy the territory around the quarry, but with the bricks, they abandoned the plan and ceded the northern territory to the crown. The royal family conferred the title on two court nobles in order to prevent the House of York from gaining access to the quarries. Victor wanted this enclave to monitor Ant-Man's movements, collect resources in the mountains, and build a stronghold for caravans to go north by the way. Sylvia acceded to his request and expanded another 1,000 square kilometers, so that the House of York, as the governor of the Centaur Hills, could legitimately send troops to patrol Raventown. In this way, both the Viscountdom of Sauron and the Viscount of Kerry are under the iron heel of the Knights of the Rose, and the House of York uses this to form a countermeasure against the royal family.

The game between the House of York and the royal family is an internal conflict between Gambis, and in the face of external threats, the two sides will be united. Raven borders the sphere of influence of the Kingdom of Dordor and serves as a barrier for the Viscounty of Sauron. Baron Burrough's efforts to deliver food and armaments, and to build public transport and beacons were all explained, and the reason for his actions must have been the free private land.

There are no boundaries in territory, and whoever actually controls it is his. To say that the free camp was not a military force planted by the Duoduo near Raventown, Victor would not believe it. In his opinion, the kingdom of Dordor saw that the attempt to win over the House of York had failed, and was unwilling to give up this land to Gambis, so he sent people to establish the camp as a freeman, and as long as the priest of the diocese of Dordor went in to preach, it became the territory of the Kingdom of Dord. If Boots takes those people in, the inside and the outside should be together, Raven Town will definitely not be able to keep it. From Father Gary's attitude, it is clear that the church is on the side of the Gambis, in return for Victor's design of public transport.

"Hmph, the Duoduo have calculated me, so I'll charge some interest first. Victor said coldly, "I decided to shovel that free camp!"

Old Hamm and Butz glanced at each other, and they both saw the excitement in each other's eyes. This territory is their home, and no outsiders can touch it. Lilia frowned and worried, "My dear, slaughtering the freedmen will damage your reputation, and maybe get you into big trouble. ”

Victor smiled shallowly: "The last thing to worry about now is the church. ”

It is true that the church protects believers, but not those who cannot provide faith. The people in this free camp were not allowed to go to the church to pray, and the priest had no way to go to preach and collect holy power. The only solution was for the lords to bulldoze the camp and bring the freedmen back into order. This is like a shepherd who worked hard to build a sheepfold to shelter the sheep from the wind and rain and resist the invasion of wild beasts, but there are always disobedient sheep who escape from the fence, at this time the shepherd dog needs to bring back those lost sheep, and the shepherd dog uses the means of biting or intimidation are necessary, only then will the sheep know how warm the shepherd is to build the sheepfold.

"My lord, I will send someone tomorrow to investigate the situation of that free private land. Old Hamm said.

"Don't wait for tomorrow!" Victor stood up, drew his long sword, and said lightly: "Tonight, the wise will die of conceit, the stupid will die of ignorance, the brave will die of recklessness, and the cowardly will die of cowardice. I want you to kill all those who dare to resist and flee, and I want that camp to be bloody!"

Outside the castle, the autumn wind resounded through the forest, like a sword sonorous, ten thousand arrows roared in unison, and a terrible wolf howl came from the depths of the woods, like a war horn.